There is not a single homeowner who wouldn’t try for an attractive and healthy lawn.
However, for a regular person, using the measures that include the calculation of a yard of mulch can be tough.
A miscalculation in the yard of mulch can result in a waste of money, time, and effort.
To solve questions like how many bags of mulch are in a yard, you need to know the length of the space that you want to cover with mulch.
To help you get the right number depending on the length of your lawn, we will teach you the right formula in this blog.
Read More: Stone and Mulch Landscaping Ideas For Your Front Yard
How Much is a Cubic Yard Of Mulch?
A three-by-three-by-three-foot (or 3′ x 3′ x 3′) volume of mulch is referred to as a yard of mulch in the trade.
We calculate the product of length, width, and depth. That translates to 3 × 3 x 3, or 27 cubic feet.
Thus, a yard of mulch contains 27 cubic feet.
Two cubic foot bags are the most popular size for bagged mulch.
You will receive the same quantity of mulch in 2 cubic yards this year, for instance, if you used 27 bags of mulch the year before.
At a depth of two inches, 162 square feet can be covered by one cubic yard of mulch.
People typically apply a yard of mulch at a thickness of two inches, depending on what’s underneath.
A single cubic yard will cover around 108 square feet if you spread it a little thinner, at 3 inches.
If you’re wondering how much a yard of mulch weighs, the average is between 600 and 1000 pounds per cubic yard.
This is the weight of most mulch. The largest amount of mulch you can get delivered in a normal-sized truck bed is 2.5 cubic yards.
How Many Bags of Mulch in a Yard?
You require 13.5 bags of mulch to fill a cubic yard.
The following is the approximate square footage that each two-cubic-foot bag of mulch will cover based on thickness:
- A two-cubic-foot bag of mulch may cover 24 square feet at one inch thick.
- A two cubic foot bag of mulch can cover twelve square feet at two inches thick.
- Eight square feet can be covered by a single two cubic-foot bag of three-inch thick mulch.
- Six square feet can be covered by a two cubic foot bag of mulch that is four inches thick.
Cost of Yard of Mulch
While purchasing mulch in bags can be more expensive than purchasing it in bulk, spreading and handling the material is frequently simpler, particularly in smaller areas.
Although bulk mulch may be more affordable for bigger areas, you need to manage it. The transportation and labor costs end up increasing the total price.
Additionally, you need a location to keep any extra yard of mulch.
You need to decide your mulching needs carefully to know how many bags you need and consider the time and work involved.
To get an idea, read our blog on the cost of different mulches.
Calculating the Yard of Mulch With Precision
A flourishing garden depends critically on the precise yard of mulch measurement.
It guarantees that you apply the proper quantity of mulch, which is essential for the health and development of your plants.
Overuse can suffocate plants and produce a damp atmosphere that encourages disease.
However, applying insufficient mulch may not assist in retaining moisture or offer sufficient weed protection.
Therefore, for the best possible plant growth and health, it is imperative to know how many bags of mulch you need for a yard.
The factors that help you estimate the yard of mulch without any errors are as follows:
1. Types of Mulch
According to the type, you can decide the yard of mulch you need.
Any natural material that breaks down gradually, such as bark, wood chips, or pine needles, is referred to as organic mulch.
Straw is perfect for gardens with vegetables. If mulch needs to be replaced, it should be done every year for finer or shredded varieties or every two to three years for coarser varieties like bark chips.
There are variations in the content of mulch, even though a yard of any given sort of mulch has the same volume.
For instance, pine bark mulch has a higher density than pine straw mulch. The weight of the mulch yard will depend in part on that density.
With a few exceptions, every yard of mulch should cover roughly the same square footage.
To fully benefit from mulching an area, such as providing comprehensive weed control, the layer of mulch must be several inches deep.
To learn about the mulch in detail, we have written a comprehensive blog for you.
2. Depth of Mulch You Need To Apply
For weed control and moisture retention, 2″ of organic mulch is the recommended depth.
Depending on the type, you should apply at different depths.
For example, you shouldn’t bury shredded hardwood or other finely-grained mulch deeper than three inches.
You can dig up to 4″ deep since coarse materials, like pine bark, allow for increased air movement.
Determine the bed’s square footage first.
For square or rectangular beds, multiply the width by length; for rounded beds, multiply the radius, or the length from the center to the edge of the bed, by itself, and then multiply the result by 3.14.
Most of the time, mulch is offered for sale by the cubic yard. The material fills a 324 square foot space that is one inch deep in one cubic yard.
Therefore, multiply your square footage by the desired depth in inches, then divide the result by 324 to find your total.
Formula: Cubic yards required = square footage x desired depth / 324.
Learn More: How To Prevent Mulch Termites
FAQs
Is buying mulch in bulk more affordable?
Indeed. Bulk mulch purchases yield a lower cost per yard.
Are there any unstated charges that arise when I purchase a yard of mulch from a store?
Taxes are typically included in the cost of the mulch, so you know exactly how much you will have to pay. If you would like, you can choose to have it spread or delivered for a small additional cost.
Is it possible to estimate the amount of mulch I require without knowing how many bags I used the previous year?
Calculate the length by the breadth of your beds to get their square footage, and then divide that amount by 81.
For example, the garden bed is 50ft long and 12 ft wide; the square footage for these dimensions will be 600. By dividing 600 by 81, you will get 7.40. In this case, you order a little extra by ordering eight bags or use a little less by purchasing seven bags.
How many yards of mulch does a truck hold?
Two to three cubic yards of mulch can fit in a standard-bed regular-cab truck. Smaller trucks can carry one to two cubic yards.
In Conclusion
Accurate measurement of the yard of mulch can help you save money and time. It assists you in avoiding purchasing more mulch than you could require or utilize.
Additionally, it saves you the trouble of moving and applying extra mulch.
It’s a good practice to measure the area of your garden and buy mulch in installments if you’re uncertain how much you’ll need.
Another good solution is to contact professionals for help. They know exactly how much material is required for your garden beds. Also, they guarantee high-quality work at a competitive price.